Apparatus for vibrating concrete



Spt. 21, 1937. w. P. DAY

A APIAARATUS FOR VIBRATING CONCRETE Filed oci. 21, 1956 3 vSheets-Sheet1 .of a R. m 3 m MU w a .(3 E O w o o y, wmf. m f .J w, f, f Q W @d f MWx f.

Sept. 21, 1937. W. P. DAY

APPARATUS FOR VITBRATING CONCRETE Filed Oct. 21, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w7 4 u 4 a J @C 4 W yf# M Q a?. w 2 J 6m WHT lem/.f m wr l J J 7. J /f-Il nl A d A f U J :z v

ATTORNEY.

Sept.`21,` 1937. f w.` P. DAY

I APPARATUS FOR VIBRATING CONCRETE Filedwoct. 21, 195e s sheets-sheet` sATTORNEY..

Patented Sept.`21, 1937 Unire' STATES ATENT orFICE APPARATUS FORVIBRATING CONCRI'E William P. Day, cleveland Heights, omdassign- `or toThe International Vibration Company,

Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 21, 1936,Serial No. 196,771

12 Claims.

`:called a spud'vibrator which consists of a motor with an off-centerweight mounted in a casing which is submerged the concrete and connected`with the power means by a flexible shaft. "I'hese Spud vibratorsarefdiiiicult to insert or remove fand also do not impart sufcientvibration to the concrete to accomplish "the result desired. Attemptshave also beenrnade toimpartvibrations `to concrete by means ofdifferent types of power- `operatedvibrators `attached to the forms; but`'suchffarmethod has, also been found to be ineffectiveandunsatisfactory. Tampers have also l beenused tocause the concrete tosettle but these too have'not been satisfactory for the reason thatlsuicientvibrations are not imparted tothe con-` crete or to thereinforcingA rods or mesh.

\ -The main object of this. invention is to provide a' method ofvibrating concrete and an apparatus which will practice the method andby means of which rapid and violent vibrations are transmittedthroughoutthe concrete and to the reinforcing rods to cause the concrete to settletoaf substantial degree whereby to reduce the moisture content of theconcrete and to substantially eliminate voids in the concrete whichmakes itpossible and practicalv to use` a stif or harsh ix Awhichcontains a much smaller percentage of `\moisture. .l i Another object ofthe inventionl is to provide an `apparatus and tool for practicing themethod `herein described which can be readily inserted into `or removedfrom the concrete and which comprises.comparatively lfew parts and whichcan be producedat minimum cost."

` A further object'of the invention is to provide `a `method ofvibratingconcrete which consists inimmersing in the soft concrete a tool having arigid portion and one or more flexible portions and thenjrapidly "andviolently reciprocating the `tool `in a plane. perpendicular to thehorizontal `surface of the concrete. A

Further and more limited objects of the inventionwill appear as thedescription proceeds and byreferencejto the accompanying drawings inwhich Fig. 1 is a `view partly in section and. partly in elevationshowing my improved apparatus With the vibrating tool immersed in aconcrete wall; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation at right angles toFig. 1 and showing the upper part of the vibrating apparatus; Fig. 3 isa top plan view of the vibratingr apparatus; Fig. 4 is a horizontal viewof the vibrating tool; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional'view taken on theline 5--5 of Fig.-1;

VFig. 6 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;Fig. 7 is a view in elevation of the eccentric link removed from theapparatus; Fig. 8 is ahorizontal sectional View taken on the `line 8 8of Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is a detail sectional `View showing the manner ofsecuring the shaft of the vibratingv tool to the apparatus; "Fig, 10 isa vertical'sectio'nal viewof a modified form of vibrating tool; Fig. 11is a'view in side elevation of the tool shownin Fig.` 10; Fig. 12 is avertical sectional" view showing another modied form of vtool; and Fig.13 Ais a horizontal sectional view ltaken on the line vl3`fl3 of Fig.12.

Referring now to the drawings the apparatus consists essentially of acasing l which is shaped as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 to 6inclusive. f

Formed integralwith the casing l are a pair of bosses 2 and 3 havingaligned openingstherein andin `which are positionedbearings, 4 and 5.Extending through the bosses 2 and 3 is a hollow shaftjor pipe 6 thecentral portion of which is threaded as shown at 1. The ends of the pipeproject through aligned openings provided in the Opposite ends of thecasing, as shown most clear- `ly in Fig. 5, and are provided withthreaded portions 8. and 9` and in which are provided slots In and il.`Oneside of the casing is provided With a ,rectangular` opening which isnormally closed by a cover plate l2 which is secured in place by meansof bolts I3. J ournaled in the casing is a shaft I4 which is mounted insuitable bearings l5 and I6. Thevshaft is provided with an enlargedportion` 1|1 and an eccentric i8 the purpose 'of which will hereinafterappear. The shaft is held in place b'ya pair of cover plates I 9 and 2Uand one end of the shaft projects outwardly therefrom, as shown 'atv 2lin Fig. 7. The end `of the shaft 2| is adapted to be connected withsuitable power operated means. Fitting over the pipe 6 and threadedlysecured thereto is a member 22 which is held with respect to the pipe bymeans of a pair of nuts 23"and 24. The member 22 is shaped asfshownvmost clearly in Figs. 5 to 7v inclusive, and' has a pair of arms 25 and26 which are spaced apart and through which extends a pin 21 which isheld in place by a head portion 28 and a nut 29. is a bearing 30.

In order to form a driving connection between the shaft I4 and themember 22 and to convert the rotary motion of the shaft I4 into areciprocatory motion of the member 22, I have provided an eccentric link3| which has a circular opening 32 therein and which receives thereinthe bearing 35. The link 3| also has a circular opening 53 therein andin which is positioned a bearing 34 which is held in place by a pair ofarcuate plates 35 and 36 which are secured to the link by means of bolts31. It will be seen that a rotary motion of the shaft |4 and eccentricI8 will impart a reciprocatory motion to the link 3| which pivots uponthe pin 2l and imparts a reciprocatory motion to the member 22 which inturn is rigidly connected with the pipe 6. Extending through the pipe 6is a reach rod or shaft 33 which is made up of a plurality of sections.Threadedly secured on the opposite ends of the pipe 6 are a pair oflocking nuts 39 and 4|) which may be tightened to rigidly secure thepipe 6 to the shaft 38 at a plurality of spaced points. 'I'he slots IUand in the ends of the pipe facilitate this clamping action. Eachsection of the shaft 38 may have adjacent the upper end thereof acircumferential groove 4| and the adjacent ends of the pipe 6 areprovided with an inwardly extending circumferential enlargement 42 whichis adapted to engage in the groove 4| when the locking nuts aretightened, as shown most clearly in Fig. 9. Closing the casing andsurrounding the shaft 38 are a pair of circular plates 43 and 44 whichare secured in place by bolts 45 and 46. The casing I is adapted to befilled with lubricant and in order to prevent leakage of lubricant alongthe pipe 6 a pair of packing washers 4l and 48 are provided. Theprojecting end 2| of the shaft I4 is provided with a keyway 49 tofacilitate its connection with a suitable source of power. Each sectionof the reach rod 38 is provided at the end thereof with a recessedthreaded portion 50 which is adapted to receive therein a reducedthreaded extension on the next adjacent section. Carried by the lowerend of the reach rod is the vibrating tool which consists essentially ofa shaft 52 to the lower end of which is secured a pointed head member53. Slidably mounted on the shaft 52 is a collar 54 which may beadjustably secured in place by means of a set screw 55. Secured to thecollar 55 are a` plurality of flexible steel wires which are indicatedby the reference character 56 the lower ends of which are secured to thehead member 53. These flexible Wires 56 are preferably formed of twistedsteel wire and are sufficiently flexible that when the collar 54 ismoved downwardly on the shaft from the position shown in Fig. l,flexible loops will be formed. The position of the collar 54 on theshaft section 52 determines the size of these loops.

In forming the usual concrete wall, the general practice is to set upform boards in which are positioned a plurality of metal reinforcingrods. The concrete is then poured into the form boards and agitated ortamped or vibrated to cause it to settle. In Fig. 1 the tool is shown asimmersed in concrete and the reinforcing rods are indicated by thereference character 51. In most cases these reinforcing rods aresufficiently close together to make it impractical to insert between thereinforcing rods a tool of suillcient size to give the necessaryVibration. In view of the fact that the wires 56 are flexible, my toolmay be inserted between reinforcing rods which are quite Journaled onthe pin close together. The flexibility of the Wires also permits theready withdrawal of the tool from the concrete. In addition, theflexible wires being in contact with the rods, also tend to transmit thevibration of the tool throughout the concrete to a considerable degree.If the rods are spaced wider apart than shown in Fig. 1, the collar 54may be adjusted to adjust the size of the flexible loops. The apparatusis of such size and weight that it can be readily handled by oneoperator and a pair of handles 58 and 59 are secured to the side of thecasing which are grasped in the hands of the operator. These handles aresecured in place by suitable bolts 60.

According to the preferred manner of practicing the method, the tool isilrst inserted within the form boards between the reinforcing rods, asshown most clearly in Fig. l. The end of the shaft 2| is then connectedwith a suitable source of power such as a gas engine or an electricmotor and rotated at a very high speed. The rotary motion of the shaftI4 imparts a reciprocatory motion to the pipe 6 and shaft 38 and henceto the vibrating tool. The speed of rotation of the shaft I4 ispreferably such that the reciprocations imparted to the tool are between3600 and 4000 per minute. The reciprocations imparted to the tool arevery short and preferably do not exceed 1A; of an inch. It will thus beseen that rapid and violent reciprocations are imparted to the tool andthat the vibratory motion of the tool is also imparted to thereinforcing rods for the reason that they are in contact with thetensioned flexible loops of the tool. Sufficient concrete is poured intothe forms to cover the tool and about up to the height shown in Fig. l.If desired, the tool may then be moved to a different position and thesame operation performed, or a plurality of tools may be employed.Vibrations are applied for a sufficient period of time to cause theconcrete to settle to a substantial degree and to reduce the moisturecontent of the concrete and to substantially eliminate voids therein. Inmost cases, vibrations of from 30 to 60 seconds are sulcient toaccomplish the result desired. When a second layer of concrete is laid,the tool is withdrawn until the head member is disposed at a pointadjacent the surface of the vibrated concrete. An additional layer ofconcrete is then poured and the vibrations again applied in a similarmanner until the complete wall has been laid. As the tool is raised, thelock nuts 39 and 40 may be loosened to permit the reach rod to passfreely through the pipe 6 so that the sections of the reach rod may bedetached and removed as required. It will be seen that the vibrationsare imparted to the concrete in a vertical plane, that is, a planeperpendicular to the surface of the concrete. This motion simulates atamping action although much more effective. The fact that thevibrations are applied in a vertical direction facilitates removal ofthe tool from the concrete. If desired, a layer of concrete ofconsiderable depth may rst be poured into the form and the tool insertedthereinto and the vibrations applied inthe manner described. Theflexible loops on the tool permit it to be inserted into or removed fromthe concrete with ease even though the reinforcing rods be spaced aslight distance apart. I have found that with the method hereindescribed, I am able to cause the concrete to settle between 20 and 25percent and to greatly reduce the moisture content and to substantiallyeliminate voids. The fact that the vibrations are imparted to thereinforcing rods also causes the `to produce a stronger structurer` :.11y.

` linings., and iitnereis discloseda .modified "lit form .of tool whichconsistsofaishaftgl which is preferably rectangular incrossA sectionand; to

thexlower end of which isconnect'ed a ,head .member 62. which is alsorectangul'arin shape.

Slidab-ly mounted: on the shaftLBI isa collar 63 which isadjustablysecured in position byfmeans of a set screw 64 andrigidlyconnectedwith `the lcollar 63 is a rectangular bar 651.Connecting lthe members 62 and 65 "and disposedzonvopposite sides of theshaft 6I are alb-plurality of flexible `steel wires 66 and .61.` `Itwill be 4seen that by adjusting the position ofthe collar 63 onsthe ishaft 6|, thesize of the iiexible loops mayw-be increased or decreased..This tool is operated inthe same .manner as the. tool described inconnection .withFigs 1' to 8 inclusiveand` functions i inthe samemanner.

In Figs. 12 and 13, there is disclosed another modified form of toolwhich is particularly adapted for use in applying vibrations to concreteoors. This form of tool consists of a shaft 68 which is adapted to beattached to the reach rod and to the lower end of which is rigidlysecured a head piece 69 which is preferably rectangular in shape.slidably mo-unted on the shaft 68 is a collar 'Hl which has an outwardlyprojecting circular flange thereon and to which are secured a pluralityof flexible steel wires 'll the lower portions of which normally restupon the rectangular head member 69, as shown in Fig. 1l. By adjustingthe position of the collar T0 on the shaft B8,these wires may be movedto the desired position. The collar 1U is held `in the adjusted position`by means of a set screw 12. This tool is particularly adapted forimparting vibrations to concrete oors and is operated in the same manneras the tools already described and is adapted for attachment to thereachrod 38.

It will `now be clear that I have provided a method and apparatus forimparting vibrations to concrete which will accomplish the objects ofthe invention hereinbefore stated. It is of course to be understood thatvarious changes may be made in thedetails of the apparatus and toolsrWithout departing from the spirit of my invention as the embodiments ofthe invention herein disclosed are to be considered merely asillustrative and not in a limiting sense. The invention is thereforelimited only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A vibrating apparatus for imparting rapid and Violent vibrations tosoft concrete, comprising a shaft, a head member secured to the lowerend of said shaft, a collar mounted on said shaft, a plurality offlexible members each of which has one end secured to said collar andthe opposite end thereof secured to said head member and power means forimparting rapid and violent reciprocations to said shaft.

2. A vibrating apparatus for imparting rapid and Violent vibrations tosoft concrete, comprising a shaft, a head member secured to the lowerend of said shaft, a collar slidably mounted on said shaft, a pluralityof flexible members each of which has one end secured to said collar andthe opposite end thereof Vsecured to said head member, power means forimparting rapid and violent reciprocations to said shaft, and means foradjustably securing said collar in place.

3. A vibrating apparatus for imparting rapid fand violent vibrationsto'soft concrete,` comprising a shaft, a vibratory tool .secured toi thelower; end of said shaft and adapted to be immers-edm soft concrete,saidtoolf consisting of ahead member iand a shaft section,.a collarslidably mounted on Asaid shaftsection and aip'lurality of flexiblemem-`bers each of whichA has oneendconnected 'with said collar and itsopposite end connected with said head member, andpoweroperated means forimparting reciprocatory motion to said tool.

` 4. A vibrating. apparatus forimparting rapid `.and violent vibrationstoV concrete, comprising a shaft, a vibratory tool secured to the lowerendof said shaft and adapted to be immersed insoft concreteVsaid toolincluding a shaft section, a

said shaft section'and:a.1pluralityfof iieikible members' each of whichhas one end connectedwwith "said collar andits opposite end connectedwith fsaid` head member,` power `operated means forimparting areciprocatory motion to said tool, said flexible members being arrangedto provide loops of different sizes when said collar is' moved todifferent positions on said tool.`

5. A vibrating apparatus for imparting rapid and violent vibrations tosoft concrete comprising a shaft, a tool secured to the lower end ofsaid shaft and adapted to be immersed in soft concrete, said toolcomprising a rigid member having one or more iiexible members connectedtherewith and means for imparting rapid and violent reciprocations tosaid tool.

6. A vibrating apparatus for imparting rapid and violent vibrations tosoft concrete comprising a shaft, a tool secured to the lower end ofsaid shaft and adapted to beimmersed in soft concrete, said toolcomprising a rigid member having one or more flexible loops held undercompression and secured thereto and means for imparting rapid andviolent reciprocations to said tool.

7. A vibrating apparatus for imparting rapid and violent vibrations tosoft concrete comprising a shaft, a tool secured to the lower end ofsaid shaft'and adapted to be immersed in soft concrete, said toolcomprising a rigid member having one or more iiexible loops connectedtherewith, and means for imparting rapid and violent reciprocations tosaid tool, and means for varying the size ofsaid loops.

8. A vibrating apparatus of the character described comprising a casing,a shaft journaled in said casing `and having one end projectingtherefrom, a tubular member slidably mounted in said casing and adaptedto receive a shaft therethrough, said rst mentioned shaft having aneccentric thereon, connections between said tubular member and eccentricwhereby a rotary movement of said eccentric will reciprocate saidtubular member, Ymeans for rigidly securing said tubular member to saidSecond mentioned shaft, and a reciprocatory tool carried by the lowerend of said last mentioned shaft.

9. A Vibrating apparatus of the character described comprising a casing,a shaft journaled in said casing and having one end projectingtherefrom, a tubular member slidably mounted in said casing and adaptedto `receive a shaft therethrough, said first mentioned shaft having aneccentric thereon, connections between said tubular member and eccentricwhereby a rotary movement of said eccentric will reciprocate saidtubular member, means for rigidly securing said tubular member to saidsecond mentioned shaft, and a reciprocatory tool carried by the lowerend of .115 headmember and a vcollar slidably mounted on` said lastmentioned shaft and comprising a rigid member having one or moreflexible members thereon.

10. A vibrating apparatus forimparting rapid and violent vibrations tosoft concrete comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in said casing andadapted for rotary movement, a second shaft mounted for reciprocatorymovement in said casing, means for converting a rotary movement of saidfirst shaft into a reciprocatory motion of said second shaft, a reachrod rigidly secured to said second shaft and a vibratory tool carried bythe lower end of said reach rod.

11. A vibrating apparatusI for imparting rapid and violent vibrations tosoft concrete comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in said casing andadapted for rotary movement, a second shaft mounted for reciprocatorymovement in said casing, means for converting a rotary movement of saidrst shaft into a reciprocatory motion of said second shaft, a reach rodrigidly secured to said second shaft and a vibratory tool carried by thelowerr end of said reach rod, said Vibratory tool comprising a rigidmember and one or more exible members secured thereto. 5

end of said reach rod and comprising a shaft, a ,1y

lower member carried by said shaft, an upper member carried by saidshaft, a plurality of flexible Wires connecting said members, one ofsaid members being slidably mounted on said shaft.

WILLIAM P. DAY. 2

